£41k project to make it easier for disabled people to get around north Cambridge

Getting around north Cambridge should become easier for wheelchair users thanks to a £41,000 project.

The cash was allocated by councillors to provide more dropped kerbs around Arbury, King’s Hedges and the two Chesterton wards.

Shopping areas and neighbourhoods with sheltered housing schemes will be targeted under the scheme, which was approved by the city council’s north area committee.

The project was proposed by East Chesterton’s Cllr Gerri Bird, who uses a wheelchair and campaigns for disability rights.

Cllr Bird said: “Dropped kerbs are such a simple way to improve accessibility for the elderly and disabled and prevent them being trapped and isolated in their homes.

“So far they have been done on an ad hoc basis one by one but this money means we can take a good look at local shopping areas and places with sheltered housing and make a real difference for many.

“Shopping or going round to see friends should be a pleasure for all, not an assault course for some.”

It is hoped up to 16 junctions could be improved under the project.

Cllr Bird, who is serving as mayor of Cambridge this year, added: I want to see all new developments incorporate dropped kerbs as standard but we also need to tackle the existing pavements.

“This is a good start and I hope we can show what can be done and encourage similar area-based schemes across the whole city.”

In total councillors allocated £82,000 under their environmental improvement programme.

Projects getting the nod, subject to consultation, include a £2,000 refurbishment of the war memorial in St Giles’ Church in Castle Street, and purchase of new benches for Brownsfield and Bramblefield nature reserve in East Chesterton.

The council will also make a contribution towards introduction of new parking controls in the Vie estate, suggested by Cllr Ian Manning.